A Page From My Journal

During my quiet time with the Lord, I wrote that I love saying "My Kinsman-Redeemer" and then I began to search to find out WHY those words are so important to me. You can be sure that if you looked through my prayer journal, you would find these words written over and over again. The phrase brings joy to my heart. I've never done this before, but this post is a copy of what is written in my personal journal.

What exactly is a 'kinsman-redeemer'?

I'm so glad you asked because, quite frankly, I wanted to know...really know what it means. Redeemer in Hebrew is go'el which is translated 'kinsman-redeemer' meaning 'who had both rights and responsibilities for vindicating a family member.' The definition provided is compliments of my favorite Bible (ESV Study Bible). :)

Why do I love this phrase so much? Probably because it means that I have been bought back. My Kinsman-Redeemer is a rich benefactor who has bought me back and has freed me by paying a high ransom price. He has redeemed by lost opportunities, my freedom, my home, my family. He has rescued me from bondage. I am so thankful that Jesus Christ is my Kinsman-Redeemer. The One who was not only willing but also has the POWER to redeem. He has paid full price for my redemption. He won my salvation on the cross.

Job 19:25 ESV "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth."

Ruth 4:14 ESV Then the women said to Naomi; "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may His name be renowed in Israel!"

Lord, you are the author of new life! I don't know where I would be without you. You truly are my Kinsman-Redeemer. You continue to amaze me. May your name be renowed in all the earth.

A New Heart

I started reading another book this week called Wild At Heart by John Eldredge. If you have a husband, or sons, or just want to know about the opposite sex, you MUST read this book. I cannot put it down to save my life! I'm currently wondering how I found time to write this post. Only kidding. Sort of. The book is sitting open next to me right now. :)

I wanted to share a portion of the book that spoke volumes to me yesterday. It can be found on page 133-34 that states, and I quote, "You have a new heart. That's the promise of the new covenant: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." (Ezek. 36:26-27). There's a reason it's called good news. Too many Christians today are living back in the old covenant. They've had Jeremiah 17:9 drilled into them and they walk around believing my heart is deceitfully wicked. Not anymore it's not. Read the rest of the book. In Jeremiah 31:33, God announces the cure for all that: "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." Your heart is good." End quote.

I just felt prompted in my spirit to share that before I start my Monday list. For so long I've walked around like that, believing that my heart is sick and desperately wicked. I even considered in the past, taking down the art in my kitchen that says, "Follow Your Heart". I can follow my heart, because that is where God dwells and it is good. I follow my heart only as I follow Christ. Does that make sense? I am so thankful for redemption. Be sure to check back here on Wednesday for my post about redemption. You won't want to miss what I'm learning about that. It makes me so happy to type the word 'redemption'. I love knowing knowing that I've been bought back.

Ok, so enough about that. Once again I find myself having so very much to be thankful for. It's fun to share it. It's not something that should be kept inside. I want to tell of all the LORD has done for me. He is so good and He cannot lie. I love that about Him.

492. Heart Training
493. Nail pierced hands
494. The steadfast love of the Lord that never ceases
495. Mercies that never come to an end
496. The faithfulness of God
497. To show the world the likeness of Jesus
498. To guide my affections with discretion
499. To owe no many anything
500. Vacation Bible School
501. Jordan's blue blankie
502. Wild At Heart
503. Sailboats at the Marina
504. High temperatures outside
505. Pink Gerber Daisies
506. Bryan taking Brandon to play basketball
507. Bryan & Brandon going to the movies together
508. My new pink water bottle
509. The sound of the keys on the laptop
510. First things first
511. New recipes
512. Letting things go
513. A good heart

And there you have it for this week. I am over half way to my one thousand gifts; but at this rate, I don't ever want to stop. This is so much part of my life and I can't imagine not listing what I'm thankful for; both the beautiful and the not so much. :)

Thanksgiving: Summer Edition

I have so much to be thankful for. Thanksgiving isn't just a holiday on the fourth Thursday of November. Thanksgiving is a lifestyle. I want it to be a part of my everyday. It's so important to be thankful. What would I be if I wasn't thankful? Lord, have mercy!

I sure do have a lot to share but today I just want to share my list of thanks. It's what makes Monday lovely.

429. Seeing Janet again after 5 years
430. Lobster rolls with my parents
431. Pizza & All-Star game with my parents
432. Children Classic's at Target for $1.00 each (Can I get an Amen for good deals?)
433. Sharing a moment with Jordan on his 5th birthday-telling him that God is going to use him and do great things in his life
434. A visit with my Aunt Linda & Uncle Ed from Massachusettes
435. Bryan's new job, raise and promotion with a new company
436. Swimming with Brandon
437. Watching Jordan swim wihtout floaties
438. Grandmother Earle-thankful that she is going to be ok
439. Homemade strawberry jam (Redemption after last year) :)
440. Ice cream cones with chocolate sprinkles
441. The baby bird nest & the two baby birds
442. The smell of sunscreen
443. Summertime in Maine
444. New beginnings
445. Fresh cut flowers on my kitchen table
446. Our new & powerful A/C
447. The sale of our Camry
448. Car insurance savings

It's nice to celebrate "Thanksgiving" everyday. It's even nicer to share it with you on Monday. Join in! I promise, you will be SO glad you did.